[The gesture took him by such surprise that he almost snatched his hand away out of instinct. It wasn't pity or sorrow in the touch, but gratitude and understanding - neither of which Souji had much experience in receiving. He looked at Cliff's hand, still frozen from the shock, and then felt the tension in him begin to dissolve. His shoulders relaxed and his weight shifted slightly as his instinct backed down, allowing him to feel his friend's warmth and the comfort inherent in that. It was such a simple motion, one whose power he'd never really understood until now. He still had so much to learn about people.
Souji squeezed Cliff's hand lightly in return and, crossing his free arm over the top of his knees, laid his temple against it. From here he could see Saizou sitting nearby, watching them quietly, and he could hear Cliff's steady breathing as he looked away. It was strange to hold hands with someone, but at the same time, it made him feel better than all his running and hiding combined. After a moment, he closed his eyes as he tried to memorize this new feeling for however long Cliff decided to let it last.]
August 19, afternoon
Souji squeezed Cliff's hand lightly in return and, crossing his free arm over the top of his knees, laid his temple against it. From here he could see Saizou sitting nearby, watching them quietly, and he could hear Cliff's steady breathing as he looked away. It was strange to hold hands with someone, but at the same time, it made him feel better than all his running and hiding combined. After a moment, he closed his eyes as he tried to memorize this new feeling for however long Cliff decided to let it last.]